A 26-year-old woman in Hangzhou, China, learned the dangers of extreme dieting after a rapid weight-loss attempt left her with serious health issues.
Standing 160cm tall, Xiaoyu weighed 65kg before she embarked on a self-designed “devil weight-loss plan” to fit into a bridesmaid dress. Her regimen involved almost completely cutting out staple foods, surviving on tiny portions of chicken breast and vegetables, and running over 10km daily.
While Xiaoyu successfully lost 15kg in just two months, the drastic change took a toll on her body. She experienced exhaustion, dizziness, constant thirst, and heart palpitations, prompting a hospital visit.
At Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Associate Chief Physician Cheng Boning diagnosed her with prediabetes. The extreme diet had disrupted her insulin regulation, caused significant muscle and water loss, and damaged her metabolism.
Cheng emphasized that eliminating carbohydrates while performing intense exercise led to severe metabolic stress. He prescribed a balanced recovery programme focused on moderate aerobic exercise and proper nutrition.
After three months of sustainable habits, Xiaoyu’s weight stabilized at 52.5kg, highlighting that long-term health requires a safe and balanced approach rather than drastic shortcuts.
